Sunday, April 3, 2016

Prevalence of High Risk Behaviors in HIV Infected Persons Aged ≥50 Years in Selected Counties of Yunnan Province

OBJECTIVE:

To
understand the prevalence of high risk behaviors and influencing factors among
HIV infected persons aged ≥50 years.

METHODS:

Face to
face questionnaire interview was conducted among the HIV infected persons
selected in Jianshui, Gejiu and Mengzi counties in Yunnan province through
random sampling in June 2015. The sample size was 450.

RESULTS:

Among the
HIV infected persons surveyed, 41.2% (122/296) had sexual behaviors with their
spouses during past year, and the consistent condom use rate was 66.4%
(81/122). Among the HIV infected males, 8.9%(28/313) had commercial sexual
behaviors during past year, and the consistent condom use rate was 17.9%
(5/28). Among the HIV infected females, 0.7% were still engaged in commercial
sex service during past year. Among the 450 HIV infected persons, 32(7.1%)
reported having casual sex behaviors during past years, and the consistent
condom use rate was 18.7% (6/32). The rate of commercial sexual behavior in
urban residents (13.4%, 19/115) was higher than that in rural residents(4.5%,
9/198), the difference was statistically significant (χ(2)=11.715,P=0.001). The
risk factors for commercial sex behaviors included lack of family and social
support, aged 50-59 years, living in urban area, higher income and being male.
The risk factors for using no condom included living in rural area, lower
education level, lack of family and social support and higher income.

CONCLUSIONS:

Risk
sex behaviors are still prevalent in HIV infected people aged >50 years,
which exacerbated HIV transmission. Further efforts should be focused on the
education about AIDS prevention and control and promoting protected sexual
behaviors. Additional effort should be done to improve the family and social
support for HIV infected people aged >50 years. Moreover, comprehensive
intervention for low-paid female sex workers also needs to be strengthened.